CarRecallDB

2012 Toyota RAV4 EV recalls and problems

3 recalls and 6 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV.

3
recalls
6
owner complaints
3
complaints mentioning a crash
0
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2012 Toyota RAV4 EV recalls

Seat belts: rear/other

NHTSA campaign 16V096000 · reported February 19, 2016 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · 1,123,752 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 RAV4 vehicles manufactured July 28, 2005, to December 19, 2012, and 2012-2014 RAV4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014. In the event of a frontal collision, the rear seat belts for the outboard seats may be cut by the seat cushion frame.
The risk
A cut seat belt may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.
The fix
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install a protector over both rear seat cushion frames, free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0F.

Visibility/wiper

NHTSA campaign 15V577000 · reported September 18, 2015 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · 423,456 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 27, 2008, to December 19, 2012 and 2012-2014 RAV4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014. In the affected vehicles, water may drip onto the joint that connects the wiper linkage to the wiper motor.
The risk
Over time, the dripping water may cause corrosion and wear at the joint, potentially resulting in the separation of the wiper linkage. Once this occurs, the wipers would not function, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water diverter channel. In addition, a new wiper linkage with a wiper motor crank arm will be installed. The wiper linkage will have a protective cover over the wiper linkage joint to minimize water splash and a retainer ring to prevent the wiper arm from separating from the wiper motor. The recall began on November 7, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service number at 1-800-331-4331.

Hybrid propulsion system

NHTSA campaign 15V143000 · reported March 13, 2015 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · 2,497 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Rav4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014. Due to a software issue within a component of the Electric Vehicle Traction Motor Assembly, the electric propulsion motor may shift to "neutral" resulting in a possible loss of drive power.
The risk
A loss of drive power may increase the risk of a crash.
The fix
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the Electric Vehicle Traction Motor Assembly software, free of charge. The recall began on September 10, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Apr 18, 2017 · Seat belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4 EV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V577000 (VISIBILITY/WIPER) AND 16V096000 (SEAT BELTS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE…

Mar 6, 2016 · Power train · 33,000 miles · crash reported

MY 2012 RAV4 EV HAS AN UNSAFE CONDITION WHERE THE ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ACTUALLY ENGAGE FROM R TO D, OR D TO R WHEN STATIONARY, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE INSTRUMENTATION INDICATES SO. THE VEHICLE INSTEAD MOVES INADVERTENTLY IN THE WRONG DIRECTION. IT HAS BEEN A CHRONIC ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE, AND I HAVE…

Dec 22, 2015 · Structure · 20,296 miles · crash reported

ON OCTOBER 17 SHORTLY BEFORE 2 PM PST IN CLEAR WEATHER, I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT ON PRIVATE PROPERTY AT ABOUT 2 TO 3 MPH. I TURNED THE VEHICLE INTO THE SPOT AND APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE CAR SURGED OVER THE CURB, HIT A TREE, WENT OVER AN EMBANKMENT AND CRASHED ONTO A PARKED CAR. (THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY…

Dec 7, 2015 · Vehicle speed control · 50,000 miles · crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4 EV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL REMEDY. FIVE DAYS AFTER THE RECALL REMEDY WAS PERFORMED, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD TO A HIGH…

Dec 24, 2014 · Engine · 13,000 miles

I WAS DRIVING IN THE PARKING GARAGE AT WORK AND THE YELLOW EXCLAMATION LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH WITH A MESSAGE THAT SAYS "CHECK EV SYSTEM. HAVE YOU VEHICLE CHECKED BY A DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY." I WAS ABLE TO STOP AND THE CAR STARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ECU.

RAV4 EV model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2012 3630
2013 3500
2014 31000

All Toyota RAV4 EV years →

Questions

Does the 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV, the most recent reported on February 19, 2016 (Seat belts: rear/other). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV?
Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is power train (3 complaints), followed by electrical system (1).
How many 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV complaints mention a crash or fire?
3 of 6 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 1 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received April 18, 2017.